Lee Swanson Research Update

Withania Somnifera Extract Takes Up Fight Against Stress

July 2008

The Withania somnifera extract (WSE) found in the herbal product Sensoril® significantly reduced stress-related parameters and cardiovascular risk, according to a human clinical study published in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association.

Sensoril is a GRAS-approved, patented ingredient for food and supplements. Though WSE has been researched extensively, this particular study confirms the therapeutic benefits of standardized WSE in 98 human subjects using modern clinical trials.

Utilizing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial researchers investigated the impact of the WSE, also known as Ashwagandha, contained in Sensoril on experiential and biochemical indicators of stress and anxiety, as well as cardiovascular risk, in chronically stressed adults.

Participants in the study were identified as stressed by being assessed clinically and tested on a modified Hamilton anxiety (mHAM-A) scale. The scale rated common symptoms of anxiety, including irritability, sleeplessness and body aches among others. Participants in all WSE treatment groups experienced significantly improved well-being, with mHAM-A scores decreasing by 39.5% by day 30 and 62.2% by day 60. In contrast, the placebo group showed no significant change in the objective and subjective measures of stress.

Stress hormones in the body were also measured and found to decrease substantially after two months. Serum cortisol decreased by -14.5%, as did other stress indicators. Interestingly, the antiaging, anti-stress hormone DHEAS was found to increase significantly (13.2%) among those taking Sensoril.

Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association 1 11(1), 2008

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